Fang Chronicles: Zenya's Story

by McClain, D'Elen

  Esta released his neck. “You shouldn’t have shifted. Your wolf fur offers some protection from my fangs.”

  “We’re pack and I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.”

  “You’re stupid.” She reached her hand down and for the first time ever, voluntarily touched a canine hand.

  “Nikka, you’re next. I want you in the ring with Madayah.”

  “You don’t think I can beat a wolf, alpha?”

  “I don’t think you’ll have any trouble beating a wolf. My wolves need to see cats fight.”

  “Oh goody, a cat fight.” Troy just couldn’t help himself.

  Nicolas looked at his mate.

  Zenya looked at Troy. “Thank you, Troy. You now have kitchen dinner cleanup duty for a week.”

  Troy actually grimaced. “I apologize. I’ll try very hard to keep my mouth shut.”

  “Well at least you didn’t promise.” Zenya looked back at the she-cats undressing.

  No one made lewd comments.

  The she-cats circled the ring. Madayah wasn’t really a fighter, but she was larger and stronger than Nikka.

  Both women charged at the same time. Their cats bursting from tanned skin.

  “Watch their claws,” Nicolas yelled.

  Where soft padded-toes looked harmless, three-inch razor-sharp nails extended and turned their feet into lethal killing machines. Nikka held back, but Madayah used her strength to take the other she-cat to the floor. The struggle didn’t last long. Nikka rolled and the fur flew as both cats raked through fur and skin. Madayah screamed a loud feline roar and Nikka backed off. Madayah attacked again, catching Nikka with a solid paw swipe on the side of her head.

  Everyone looked on in horror. Madayah had pulled her claws, and the thump upside Nikka’s skull would only carry a bruise. Nikka crouched on her belly and launched from there, taking Madayah to the padded floor. Two sets of fangs displayed and furious growls sounded from their throats.

  “Enough.” Nicolas’s voice boomed throughout the gym.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  The women shifted and rolled to the ground. Nikka began laughing first. It was a strange sound coming from her unused vocal cords, and Madayah’s laugh followed.

  Through her laughter Nikka telepathically communicated with her pack, “You pack a hell of a wallop for a cook.”

  More laughter broke out.

  Zenya looked at her mate in wonder. He knew how to control his pack. In only thirty minutes he had everyone mind synced. Zenya knew Amy and Marcus protected her from many of the wolves. Columbus tolerated her because he wouldn’t go against his clan leaders, but was she truly accepted? Looking around she felt respect for her new pack. Her love for her mate overflowed, and she noticed the muscles of his arms rippling with his every move.

  “Ah, Zenya.”

  Zenya looked at Talya.

  “I don’t want lunch duty, but we’re supposed to be learning to fight and not learning to have sex.”

  A shocked silence met the words, but then another round of laughter began. Heat traveled up Zenya’s neck and her cheeks flushed.

  Nicolas stooped down and placed his shoulder against his mate’s belly, coming up with her head over his shoulder. “The rest of you work on your skills. My mate and I have important matters to attend.”

  The cat-calls mixed with wolf whistles.

  “I’m going to kill you, you overgrown mutt.”

  A solid palm landed sharply on her ass. He didn’t stop walking until they were deep in a wooded section of pines and shrubs. He upended her onto the ground and followed, grabbing her hands and bringing them above her head.

  “If you don’t want sex you shouldn’t think about what I can do with you.”

  Flashing green eyes turned challenging. “Let go of my hands and I’ll show you what I can do with you.”

  “I don’t think so.” He kissed her.

  The stretchy sweatpants material only made it to his knees, but he somehow managed to get hers off. Two bodies became one. He rolled over and her hair tumbled forward, shrouding him in its scent. His hands lifted her hips and brought her over his raging erection. Slowly, he lowered her body until moist heat sheathed his hot length and he could feel the wall of her womb.

  Her hands came down on his pectoral muscles and squeezed, her nails digging in.

  Burning eyes looked into hers while his hands controlled her up-and-down movement. Sliding deep and then slowly lifting her.

  “Please, Nicolas.”

  Through gritted teeth he said, “I want you to feel every inch of me until you scream.”

  Her head went back and finally her cry echoed through the trees.

  Moments later she rested on his chest, his hand against her back, rubbing in small circles.

  She raised herself slightly. “I’m embarrassed to see our pack again.”

  His eyebrows arched. “Why?”

  “They know what we just did.”

  “They should know. We’re mated. There is nothing to be ashamed of. The first months of mating are difficult. I plan on taking you away and sinking deep within your body as often as I can.”

  “Cats are different.”

  “Not my cat.”

  She couldn’t stop her smile.

  His hand twined in her hair and brought her mouth to his. The kiss started another round of love making, and it was thirty minutes before they returned to the gym.

  Sheeba was in the ring with Bernard. His hand came out and slapped against the side of her feline head. “Listen to my movement. My hand can’t come in without making noise. Use your hearing.”

  His hand came forward again and her head turned. Teeth bit down and instantly released their hold when he yelled. He shook his wounded appendage. “Don’t let go next time. You fight the way you practice. I don’t want to lose my hand, but anything short of that and Vorlyk will fix me.” He slapped her upside the head again and backed away. This time he walked to the side. Her unseeing eyes followed. “Good. Listen for me.”

  Sheeba couldn’t see Bernard nod to Troy. He quietly joined them in the ring. Bernard came forward and Sheeba turned to follow him. Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and Bernard charged forward. The two wolves took Sheeba to the ground.

  Her body began to shake uncontrollably and tears rolled down her face.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  Bernard backed off and Sheeba curled in on herself. Troy’s hand went to her face.

  “Shhh, this is part of training. We want you to listen to everything around you.”

  “No, please.” Her trembling grew almost violent.

  Both wolves looked to the she-cats for help.

  “Men, come on. We’re going for a run.” Nicolas didn’t wait. The wolves followed him as the she-cats entered the ring with Sheeba.

  They ran a few miles away and then Nicolas shifted, followed by the others.

  “What did we do wrong?” Bernard asked with anguish apparent in his voice.

  “Our pack mates have been brutally tortured and raped. What happened in the ring was not your fault and I should have realized it might be hard on them.”

  Stunned silence met his words.

  Finally Reece spoke. “All of them? Even Talya?”

  “Yes, even Talya.”

  “Who caused Madayah’s scars?”

  “The cat’s alpha. His name is Raykon.”

  “They must learn to defend themselves,” McDonald spoke up.

  “I agree, but maybe we need to ask them how to proceed. Their choices were taken away for years until Vorlyk rescued them.”

  “I think Sheeba could be good with knives in human form and even throw with accuracy. I’m willing to teach her if she’ll let me near again.” Bernard stopped talking when he heard the women coming toward them through the trees.

  They approached slowly and when they joined their pack mates, Zenya spoke. “There are problems with each and every one of us. Some things we can’t control, but we must learn. We must defeat o
ur demons in order to fight our enemies. If what happened in the ring with Sheeba happened in a real fight she would be dead.”

  Sheeba stared out of sightless eyes, across the open space, making each of them think she actually saw them. “I’m sorry. I’m not as weak as I seem.”

  Nicolas let go of his power. It plowed into each of them and the women’s hair swirled around their bodies. The men stood their ground absorbing the raw essence that was their alpha.

  “You all belong to me and I to you. There is nothing we can’t conquer if we work together. I’m sorry, Sheeba. I didn’t think. We will not harm you, but I don’t believe that’s the problem. Each of you has a voice. Some of you use it too often.” His gaze went to Talya. “But, we need to communicate and know about your triggers. Sharing your experiences may be difficult or even impossible. We know little of the cats we fight against, but you hold the answers. You are as important to us as we are to you and not just our clan. Columbus’s wolves need to see you fight and learn to defend against cat claws and teeth.”

  Esta spoke up for the first time since entering the woods. “The men need to wear large leather collars around their throats.”

  “Dog collars?” Reece asked with surprise.

  “They’ll probably look like dog collars. They need to be too large for your human neck so when you shift they guard your throat. With the leather and your fur, our teeth will not puncture your jugular. Male cats are larger than us and one-on-one, unless you’re alpha, we’re the deadlier killing machine. Two wolves to one cat and the odds go in your favor.”

  “What about weapons?” McDonald asked.

  “Cats are like wolves and don’t prefer them. They like to kill up close and personal, though they do have weapons and they’ll use them. Guns are their choice if there is no other way.”

  “And knives?” This time it was Bernard who asked.

  “Not so much.”

  “Knives are silent and can be as deadly as guns.”

  “I’m not arguing, just telling you how the male cats think.”

  “Would you like to learn to throw a knife, Sheeba?”

  “How would I be able to tell the difference from friend or enemy or even hit a stationary target?”

  “We follow the alpha’s direction and start communicating while we practice.”

  Nikka’s voice traveled into everyone’s head. “You need to remember, we are not victims. We are survivors.”

  “We’re survivors, too. Our entire pack died in an attack by the cats. Now we’re a new pack and when it comes to fighting, we are stronger than ever,” Troy said.

  “Oh no, here they go again,” Talya uttered.

  All eyes turned to their alpha and his mate.

  “I think we need to take a break and meet at the range in two hours.” Nicolas’s voice was gruff.

  “It takes you two hours?”

  “Talya.”

  “Yes, Zenya, I know, that’s enough.”

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  This time their love making was slow and sensuous. It was an hour before they came up for air.

  “You know how wonderful you are?” Her voice was sleepy and soft.

  His hand ran over her sweat-dampened skin. “At this?”

  “No. Well this, too. I mean being alpha.”

  “You think I’m a wonderful alpha?”

  “I think you’re a wonderful leader. You seem to know exactly what we need to make our pack stronger.”

  “Not exactly. I messed up with Sheeba.”

  “You didn’t. The men needed to know everything and the women didn’t need to be resentful and embarrassed about it. How will the men feel about babies?”

  “The way all wolves feel about babies.”

  “How do you feel about babies?”

  His power sizzled around the room. He couldn’t control his jealousy because he knew what she asked. “Could we talk about this in, say, a hundred years? No sorry, make it two hundred.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  He took her hand and kissed the underside of each finger. “The thought of anyone but me touching you is beyond bearing. The thought of killing every cat that has ever laid a hand on you is all that keeps me sane. Someday I will be able to accept what it takes for you to have a child, but not now. Not for a very long time.”

  “I can wait.”

  They joined their pack mates at the shooting range. Several of the wolves from Columbus’s pack were there. They stayed to watch and then joined in the training.

  It became a friendly rivalry to see which wolves had the best luck teaching a she-cat to shoot. Reece worked with Nikka, Troy with Talya, and two southwest wolves with Madayah and Esta. Nicolas worked with Zenya.

  It wasn’t much of a competition and Esta soundly stomped the others. Talya did surprisingly well. The strength in her one wrist made up for her lack of an arm.

  They were beginning to start another round when Marcus appeared in their midst. Everyone removed their ear protection and looked at the vampire. He didn’t bother to shelter his eyes from the sun just said, “Cheri was attacked from the north. We’re meeting at the house.” Then he was gone.

  Sheeba began shaking again. Reece took one of her hands and McDonald the other.

  “We’re not leaving you,” Reece said with conviction.

  “If the cats want you, they’ll go through all of us.” McDonald’s voice was deep and steady.

  Sheeba’s blank eyes stared toward McDonald. “Thank you. Can I use one of your shoulders to walk to the car?”

  Talya usually guided Sheeba but the blind cat wanted to show the two wolves that she trusted them.

  “Zenya and I will go to the main house. Madayah, please wake Vorlyk when you’re back at the cabin. Esta, stay with the pack. You’ve all proven you can shoot. I want everyone but Sheeba armed until I tell you different. Sheeba, you will stay close to Reece and McDonald. Two wolves need to accompany any female going outside.”

  Nicolas’s wolves drove back to the cabin while Nicolas, Zenya and Columbus’s wolves shifted and took off for the main house. Vorlyk beat them there. The meeting took place upstairs where heavy shutters covered the windows during the day. The vampires didn’t look sleepy, they looked pissed off.

  “Brandt lost one wolf, but they managed to kill four cats,” Marcus’s voice was tight.

  “Were there vampires?” This from Vorlyk.

  Marcus ran a hand through his hair, “No, there was only a pride of about twenty cats.”

  Amy joined in the conversation, “Do you think the northern cats attacked?”

  All eyes turned to Vorlyk. “I don’t believe so. The southern cats have been trying to force the Canadians into joining their fight, but they’ve had little success. I would guess it was a group of southern cats on their way home.”

  A gleam entered Amy’s eyes. “So that means they’re heading our direction”

  “If we’re lucky,” Nicolas growled.

  “Brandt is having them followed,” Marcus said.

  Vorlyk spoke up, “I say we intercept them where they don’t expect us.”

  Nicolas looked to his liege. “For a vampire who doesn’t fight often, I like your thought process.”

  Zenya’s quiet voice added, “It works if it’s not their plan to separate us.”

  Nicolas glanced at his mate, though his words were for everyone, “We have three vampires here. Cheri’s clan is our weakest link at the moment. I say we send wolves to intercept and if we need help, we call for one of our vamps, leaving two behind.”

  “You won’t take me to fight will you?” Her heart was in the words.

  “No. Sorry, my love, but you’re not ready. I will take Esta and Nikka, though.” No one questioned that Nicolas would lead the team.

  “How many of my wolves do you need?” Even though he needed to stay and protect their home, Columbus looked ready to go himself.

  “They have approximately sixteen wolves, so twenty from you. I’ll bring
four.” He took Zenya’s cold fingers and squeezed her hand.

  “When do you leave?”

  “In one hour.”

  Marcus called Brandt and received an update on the location of the fast-moving cats.

  Nicolas decided on Reece and McDonald. He wanted Troy and Bernard to stay behind with the females. They grumbled, but understood. Troy was his third and with Esta going on the hunt; he needed to hold steady and stay with the other females.

  Nicolas tried to speak with Zenya, but she refused to acknowledge his request. Taking her hand and giving her no say, he pulled her into their room. His lips took hers in a long, deep kiss. He pulled her t-shirt up and over her head and took her breasts into his hands.

  “I want you, but you can say no.” Applying pressure to her breasts, he tipped the scales in his favor. They both knew it.

  When she didn’t object, he pushed her pants to the floor and picked her up, turned her around, then pressed her back to the door. Her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, and for a moment he only plunged his tongue into her mouth, battling with hers, wanting everything she had to give. He thrust his body deep into hers and pulled away from her mouth to sink his teeth into the curve of her neck. He wanted to memorize her taste and smell, the very essence of his mate and he made love to her with fierce intensity. He didn’t want to leave and the fact that he had to tore at his soul.

  After their heartbeats slowed, she didn’t say a word, but her eyes conveyed every hurt feeling she possessed. Nicolas stoically refused to budge on his decision.

  Before walking out the door, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her until her stiff body yielded. “I promise to return.”

  She touched the side of his face and then let her arms drop to her sides. She refused to cry.

  Five SUVs left the main house holding twenty-five beastkind ready to kill their enemy.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Walking back to their room, Zenya fought against her feelings of rage. She crawled onto their bed and breathed in Nicolas’s scent.

  He’d left her after she saved him, cared for him, and mated with him.